CAPSA PRO FIXED -- An addendum to my comment #67, above. I wrote the company at their support@colasoft.com email address and explained the license expiration details. Within 5 hours I received an answer and the suggestion was just to "try restarting the program again". It worked!

This program worked reasonably well on my WinXP SP3 machine for 5 days. The only problem that vexed me was after installation, my hibernate function wouldn't work. The program's "stop" button had to be clicked and then my machine would hibernate. Then on the 5th day, the serial number license, given by ColaSoft from their website, especially for GOTD followers, expired.

BEWARE! This is very non-standard behavior for any GOTD program. Did the original company change their mind? Has there been some misunderstanding? There are at least two other recent comments that appear to be having the same problem. GOTD! What is happening?

This was a fluke they let you load it a a giveawayoftheday but when you go to use it a few days later it is deactivated. I used it a couple days in a row it worked good then I go to use it 5 days later and it ask you to reactivate.

My professional licence is deleted? Both of my computers. Why are these licences deleted?

This program just wanted to be activated AGAIN and failed!
As this software is without support, I am now wondering who I should contact... :o(

It quit working after 1 day so I didn't get to really try this one. I guess they thought givaway "for" a day?

@39, Wireshark is also available for Windows. Always has been.

The only reason I could think of for that high of a price tag is for the tutorials. I haven't installed this and won't be because of the privacy issue. But.. I do understand that making decent help and walkthroughs of sorts does take time. Time requires money. Yes, wireshark is free, but the help within the program is limited. This may have changed since I last used it in '09 but that's what I remember. As for the quality of the software I can't and won't be able to vouch for. Going back on the tutorials. if the softare isn't as good as a free alternative but has a decent guide, then perhaps the price should be lower or the dev should spend a little more time working on making the application better than the competion (aka. Free - no competition).

An Awesome Giveaway... However, every time I launch this after using Google Chrome, or with Chrome open, I get an Explorer Debug pop-up with the following error:
------------
Line: 71
Error: The value of the property 'urchinTracker' is null or undefined, not a Function object
------------
If I select "NO" to running the Visual Studio C++ debugger, I get:
------------
Line: 73
Error: The value of the property '__utmSetVar' is null or undefined, not a Function object
------------

But then the application appears to function normally.


If I select "Yes" to running the Visual Studio C++ debugger, the program crashes with an Exception error:
------------
An exception occurred. Process will be terminated. (Exception address is 00413E6C)
------------
And then I get a JIT Debug error

I can't imagine I am the only one who uses Chrome and Visual Studio.

A fix would be nice...

The Dr. is in!
_

Program installs and registers under XP 32 but fails to locate a network adapter. Uninstalled and installed twice. Seems to be a basic requirement for this kind of program.

I have tried (3 times) to install this program on Windows XP and always get error messages like this at the end of the installation or when trying to use the network tools:

“Unable to execute file:
C:\Program Files\Colasoft Capsa 7 Professional Edition\Capsa.exe

CreateProcess failed; code 14001.
This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem".

Any suggestions?

Great deal for $700 should be a keeper! Thanks, our company should get a lot of use out of this!

Meh. Note that activations requires you do it online (web or e-mail), or through Fax with its machine code. Also, they have typos. :(

Wow nice program. This is a tool that is like a Swiss knife for MacGyver. Really impressed the hell out of me.

For a review of todays download you can go to firewall.cx; they have a full review on the software. This sounds like a good program but beyond my skills so I will pass today, thank you developer and giveaway team.

Anyone who thinks wireshark can do the things this software can do has not used wireshark or has not worked with this program. Live graphing, conversations, protocol analysis, etc. put this program far ahead of wireshark and I have only begun to use it. Great software, thanks Colasoft and GAOTD.

This sounds more like something for a business than the average home user

After reading the above - decided not to try it.

I'll stick with the free wireshark & nmap for my network needs.
I use both the above programs on a very regular basis to find infected devices, rogue devices, general network issues, etc on networks.

Both the above programs also run on both Linux/Windows
Both the above also have detailed help pages on filtering, scripts and so on to fine tune what it is you are looking for when running captures.


Thanks anyway GAOTD.

I'd like to add that even though most products from China are of poor quality, this doesn't mean the software is inferior. This program must have taken hundreds of hours to code and I give it a thumbs up.

#22

Well. the installer adds gdiplus.dll, msvcirt.dll, and msvcrt.dll under the E:\Program Files (x86)\Colasoft Capsa 7 Professional Edition\ChartFX directory.

You can rename these files taking the last l off the .dll

Example: gdiplus.dl

Now test the program thoroughly and if it works OK, the files can be deleted.

The installer also silently install Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable. It does not show up in Add/Remove Programs or Revo Uninstaller.

I'm going to try to uninstall it using the command line in the registy and will post back with the results.

Sorry, but I too, cannot consent to that license agreement. This comment refers to the EULA and what is SAYS about this package...

I would have liked to have at least tried this, but apparently this company collects information which can personally identify ME and will phone home with that information simply if I TRY the software. No matter HOW attractive this package IS, I will not be opening up my privacy to inspection by strangers, so I cancelled out as I do NOT agree with the stated terms.

First objection: I have no way to OPT OUT of this data collection "feature". I actually CAN see how this could be useful if I encountered a network problem and needed assistance or support in troubleshooting, but the GAOTD terms say up front there is no support available. So, what is the point in collecting information? Give me a way to turn this feature OFF.

Second objection: I have NO WAY to know exactly WHAT data is being collected and sent to their server. My privacy is paramount. You have NO REASON to know my name or anything about ME, personally, without my consent. IF you are going to need information to assist me in troubleshooting through a request for support, I can see a need for SOME technical information, but I want a way to edit that information so I can redact private information that is not germane to the problem I need assistance with, before it is sent off somewhere top strangers.

I will NOT be opening up my machines voluntarily to strangers with candy. Give me an option to OPT OUT, and if I decide to OPT IN, then give me a complete copy of ALL data sent with approval rights on ALL items collected so I can redact private information that is not relevant to the problem...

I am sorry to have to say all this, but some of us out here in never-never-land actually READ the EULA before installing software...

Thanks, but no thanks...
M. Balzic, former MCSE in a previous life...

A proffesonal sofware progarm worth $699 for FREE thats a great deal and propably the most expensive yet offered on hear! It will more than my opertating system costs! Thanks for the great giveway, should work good for that price.

Wow, cannot even customize reports. $699.00 and you cannot even customize a report? A rip off. As it stands, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it, but still, it's rather useless for a "Pro" version. Uninstalling this.

I cannot stand when companies like this pull off little stunts, making you pay even more for the most mundane features.

Do not install this software. The capturing and reporting of data back to China is unnecessary and violates standard security policies.

GAoTD folks, you need to be more aware of what the software you're giving away is actually doing. This software should not have made it for two glaring reasons.
1. No "Pro" network administrator worth hiring is going to use this software on their network.
2. GAoTD professes to help avoid risks. This software is a risk.

"You hereby consent to Colasofts’ collection and use of such information, and agree that Colasofts’ collection and use of such information will be governed by Colasofts’ Privacy Policy, currently published at http://www.colasoft.com, as Colasoft may revise the same from time to time."

No, I do not consent to any usage of my info. *cancel*

So far, all I can tell by their license is that they do the same thing as Firewalls, Antivirus programs, Browsers, and Software Update Programs, and even internet sites we surf to. I find they get nothing more than what these trusted programs already collect so that they can inform and protect you of threats or updates, and help you get a better surfing experience at their website. This happens every time you turn on your computer surfing or not.

Browsers and the sites you surf to collect information about the browser you use, if java is installed and other plugins, and your operating system. This helps the internet site so they can run java if you have it, use the proper media player, use flash.....etc. Some websites you surf to need the above information to give you a better experience at their site, but some also collect information about your internet provider, your Dns, where you are and so on just by using a "whois" program to identify you, usually without your permission and knowledge.

Antivirus and Firewalls send all the above information and also send information about programs you block or allow, installed programs, automatically block or allow a program based on the percentage of people who either allow or denied a program , all your Internet and Operating System information, Internet provider and Dns information...ect. This is the only way they can protect you from threats from inside or outside or your computer. This I allow because I trust these companies.

Software Update programs do the same as the above and search your whole computer for everything that is installed, send this information back to them so they can tell you if their are any updates to any programs you have installed. Again, an issue of trust in the company.

In the end, I find all I can do, when faced with a new program that "requires" all this information is to find out everything I can about them first, to see if I can trust them as much as my antivirus and firewall companies, and if this type of program needs all this information in the first place. If I still have doubts, I don't install it.

I also worry about any changes this program may make to network settings and how easily this can be changed back to what it was if I uninstall this program. I don't need a headache if I decide to uninstall the program later.


To trust or not to trust....(O.K. that was cheesy).

#25 How true is that

#34, you say this is a Chinese company like it's a good thing. Are you really willing to trust your entire network to them, when they've been shown to be the biggest perpetrator of cyber espionage in the world?

A packet sniffer is a very useful tool to have, as long as you know a little about network protocols, are willing to learn, or at least have a friend who can talk you through what to look at when problems occur. I've personally been able to learn some very useful things about multilayer games and other software that connects to the Internet by using a packet sniffer, as well as resolve some of my own network problems.

But I agree with what others have already said. Even without the very questionable EULA, there seems to be no reason to use this rather than the completely free and open Wireshark. I trust Wireshark. I'm concerned about the source of today's offer (yes, it does come from China), and it doesn't seem to do anything that Wireshark will not do and apparently less. Wireshark will sniff Wireless interfaces, for just one example, while as far as I can tell this offering requires a separate product. Beyond that I'm not sure, the website is amazingly lacking in details for such expensive software.

And for whoever asked for a Linux version, there is a Linux version of Wireshark. And if you need a version the will run under Win98, you can find that too (look for and older version under it's old name "Ethereal").

Rather than being impressed that this is supposedly $699 software, I see that as a clear sign that I could never install this software on a new computer or a problem system after today's offering, and couldn't get it back even if I wanted it when eventually forced to reinstall Windows. So I see no reason to learn to use this, I'll be sticking with Wireshark.

Zo TK (#28).
Thanks a lot for your alert! That’s what everybody should seek to learn and read before installing any software. I’ll never give consent to any developer to collect information about my machine, resources and behaviour, which is irrelevant to the nature of the soft, regardless of any "privacy" (he, he, he!) rules and claims of the collector. And I wish I could believe that the developer enumerated all information they want to grab from your computer. I wish, but I cannot! How could anybody – whether being a natural or corporate person – wish to pay a cent to become the puppet of a Big Brother (whether of a Chinese, or any other, more "democratic" origin) is beyond my imagination.

After further examination of this software, I have found that not only you can monitor the local network, but, also Capsa can monitor what you are monitoring and then some.
They can see your network online and all of your set ups and can actually communicate with your network via back door commands and see your:
Email Content while receiving data
Network Traffic Monitor IP addresses you are logged on
Track Down Bittorrent Protocol
Find out your network traffic hosts
Monitor realtime network utilization
Detect ARP poisoning & ARP flooding
Log Web Visits
Monitor IM Communications
and so on.
Unless you know how to block remote communications via IP protocols, please stay away from this software.

This Software is awesome. It is used for ... and it also does this ... So since it is free I'm going to use it for ....

What does it do?

After installation, my computer network changed something in the setup and now I see double data pockets being generated and slowed down my network throughput.
Also, I've noticed with my security software that some data pockets are sent to home base at an unknown server.

I've dedicated to uninstalled because of that.

Not feeling secure when data is being exposed online and sent somewhere without me knowing what is being sent out.

Colasoft is a Chinese company, from Chengdu, China. They have been around for quite some time and the reviews listed at their website are real reviews, not fakes as we sometimes see. The reviews I've read give Capsa good ratings. Their support forum at WildersSecurity dates back to Dec 2007.

I agree with #27 TK. First they specify that this giveaway has no restriction on commercial usage, but then in the fine print they mention that they are collecting all kinds of 'personally identifiable' data. Hmm, install this on my corporate network? I think not.

$699!! are you sure you didn't get that decimal point in the wrong place? Should it be $69.90? Maybe even $6.99?

Would not use it even if they paid me 699 if they think they can get that for software that does not even get the wlan on win 7 64 bit ultimate and they get things sent to them from your machine what are they creeps working for a foreign government that wants to know every thing going on our machines and what is on our network not for me and surely never for my company I will stick with wireshark myself free and trustworthy.

Clearly this is too expensive for people to play around with it. It does seem to do its job well but if it's worth the cost would depend on the user's need.

The company does offer a free limited version of this software which, along with the tutorials the company offers, will give a newbie a good idea of how to use the free and maybe the costly tool.

Software installed fine no problem on Windows 7 Pro 32bit. Activated no problem also.

The online resource window is getting blocked by our antivirus (VIPRE) and seeing the site as potentially harmful or objectionable. Not good for something that cost $699. I wouldn't even pay $50 for this software! Your basically paying for the look. Wireshark is able to do most of this, but this program just gives you a more visual approach. Thanks anyways!

Installed, registered, and ran without any issues on a Vista 64 4 core.
A Caspa free user for a very long time, though the limitations always sent me to WireShark for some issues. Though never a real fan of the layout/GUI of WS.

This is the start of a great day.

This version does not overwrite the free edition, uninstall of that version is recommended.
Sincerely,
Heidi-Ann Kennedy

@ No18 Couldn't agree with you more...Nice software for the geeks but not for me thanks Colasoft & GOTD...much appreciated!!!

Works fine with WLAN for me!
Win 7 64 bit, inbuilt WLAN card, Lenovo computer.

Six ninety nine for software? Not a chance. Any publisher who thinks they are worth that kind of stone is too full of itself to get my money. Even if it's 'free' today.

This program looks very professional and first impressions are that is is overwhelming for people that are not networking experts.

I have looked at the tutorials, but they seem to be aimed at explaining the program to network experts. A good thing!

But for us amateurs it would be nice to have more basic tutorials to solve some specific problems.
e.g. a sudden spike in web traffic could be a virus, a netbot infection or a program doing something strange. How do we use the program to find out what is going on?

This software can not capture on the virtual adapter Windows is setting up when you install a VPN-tunnel (Virtual Private Network). I.e. Capsa cannot monitor traffic to/from you when you use a VPN. So the useful of this software for me next to zero (since most of my traffic goes via this VPN).

Let me explain further. From my windump -Dv:
2: \Device\NPF_GenericDialupAdapter
Descr: Adapter for generic dialup and VPN capture

Since Capsa doesn't use WinPcap (like windump and Wireshark does, duh!), it doesn't show up in Capsa. If it could, that would be great.

A Russian guy says the app is silently changing gdiplus.dll and a msvcr*.dll file during installation, so beware.

I'm going to pass over this one - I agree with #11 : why not use WireShark ?

And - paranoia runs deep - Colasoft comes from China ...

Lovely for learning with all the help tuts and Videos tuts . Huge thank You GAOTD and ColaSoft.
I also got the free version as I know I'll need a HD wipe out soon and will want to continue using this Software for self education.
Installed NP, working fine (as far as my limited knowledge goes) ,I like the interface. The help files are well written, not overly technical (IMHO) and a lot of effort gone into that too.
Excellent GAOTD.
Colasoft have provided free tools with a simple registration, for those who don't had large business cash . I'm impressed with this company not every day someone dishes out an expensive software for free, plus provides extensive help tuts.
Sorry not got any constructive feedback on the program itself as need to play for a few weeks.

Yes, this is a very good and professional software but honestly 699 bucks seems to me sheer MADNESS, taking into account that it doesn't support WIFI Connection which almost everybody uses nowadays.

WIRESHARK is FREE and more complete than this:

http://www.wireshark.org/

I believe that the first thing the developer of this GAOTD should do is get himself immersed in humility & humbleness!!!

So THUMBS UP for the software but THUMBS DOWN for the price!!

Not sure what too do with this...
Why is this even $699? How is that a reasonable price, because it's as expensive as PS CS5, and other software like Adobe AE, which is studio quality. I'd take this if you were looking for some networking solutions but...

Going to skip this one today.

Ooops that's really wat i need but 699 angels is too much